Luke 21:8

Christian, Be Not Deceived!

CHAPTER XXIX.

THE TRIPLE APPLICATION OF THE PROPHECIES PERTAINING TO ISRAEL: “RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH." 2 Tim. 2:15.

In previous chapters we have shown that the Bible is written on the principle of "multum in parvo," or much in little. It is a book written on definite principles, harmonizing logic with spiritual vision. The principles of enlargement by repetition, of the first things foreshadowing the last, the world-wide symbolized in the local things of the past, types and antitypes, past events "acted parables" of future things, "double" applications, etc., prove that nothing in the Scripture is useless or wasted: that the past and the future are profitable for the present.

The principle of going back to where a thing commences and returning by means of a progressive cycle on an ascending scale is clearly seen in Scripture and in nature. In the musical world, this principle is represented by the octave. The octave brings us back to begin again on the same note, but an octave higher. This note, which is eight above the same note below, has so many more vibrations. This same principle is also manifested in light and in colours. The repetitions and antitypes of prophetic imagery (with which the Revelation is replete) are always magnifications of the historical basis upon which they rest. In chapter 21 we referred to the Epanados employed in Rev. 1, which illustrates the law of repetition, whereby the last comes back to the first, but on a higher note, or greater number of vibrations—if we regard it in the terms of the octave. See my "Christ Conquers," pp. 123-139, for further consideration of the use of the number eight in the Scriptures in relation to this principle. The world is to be restored to its Edenic state at the commencement of the eighth millennium from creation. Previously we have shown that the things in the commencement of Genesis mentioned as lost to man because of sin are restored at the close of the book of Revelation.

Throughout the natural world God illustrates the principle of the progressive cycle on an ascending scale (i.e., a "spiral"). In the study of phyllotaxis—the branch or leaf arrangement of trees and plants—we find that each tree or plant has its normal mathematical number. Commencing with a certain branch or leaf, the stem is circled once, or more, according to the mathematical number of the tree, before the next branch or leaf appears directly above the one from which we commenced to count—and so on up the trunk or branch. Thus, on the spiral system, we recommence to count with the original number—only higher up the tree or plant.

The principle of going back and commencing again by means of a progressive cycle is seen in the days of the week, the months of the year, the seasons, the revolutions of the moon around the earth, the earth around the sun, the sun around its central star, and in all the worlds revolving around the throne of God.

"The sun also ariseth, and goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again." Eccles. 1:5-7.

"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." 1 Cor. 15:22. Christ restores man back to life.

"Behold, I make all things new." Rev. 21:5. The earth will be restored to even greater glory than before.

This principle in the economy of God—of going back to the commencement on a progressive, ascending scale—must not be overlooked in the interpretation of Bible prophecies. Those things which are introduced in the early parts of the Bible are repeated and enlarged until, in the New Testament, and especially in the Revelation, they are employed in a world-wide sense. "In the Revelation all the books of the Bible meet and end." A.A. 583, 584. A true interpretation of the Scriptures enables us to see in each part that makes up the whole an indication that it is a part of a general plan: that the whole is indicated in the part—as the general shape of the tree is often indicated in the leaf. The Revelation demonstrates principles upon which the whole of the Bible is written. As things mentioned in the early chapters of the Bible are referred to in later books, so, similarly, things mentioned in the early chapters of the Revelation are later referred to in this book. Notice the following examples:—

• Christ's second advent. Rev. 1:7; 3:3. 11. 20; 6:14-17; 11:17, 18; 14:14-20; 16:12; 19:11-21.
• The wailing and destruction of the wicked. Rev. 1:7; 6:14-17; 19:11-21.
  
• The seven stars. Rev. 1:16, 20, 13 compare Rev. 2:1; 3:1.
  
• The first and the last. Rev. 1:8, 11, 17; 2:8; 22:13.
  
• Was dead, and is alive. Rev. 1:18; 2:8.
  
• A sharp, two-edged sword. Rev. 1:14, 16; 2:16; 19:15.
  
• Eyes as a flaming fire. Rev. 1:14, 15; 2:18; 19:12.
  
• The seven Spirits. Rev. 1:4; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6.
  
• The faithful Witness. Rev. 1:5; 3:14; 6:10; 19:11.
  
• The true witness. Rev. 3:14; 19:11; 22:6.
  
• The tree of life. Rev. 2:7; 22:2.
• Jews. Rev. 2:9; 7:1-8; 14:1; 21:12.
• Saints have power over the nations. Rev. 2:26, 27; 17:14; 20:4; Ps. 149:5-9.
• Coming as a thief. Rev. 3:3: 16:15.
• White raiment. Rev. 3:5; 6:11; 7:14; 19:8.
• Door of sanctuary shut. Rev. 3:7, 8; 11:19; 15:5-8; 16.
  
• The synagogue of Satan. Rev. 2:9; 13:6, 8, 14-18; 3:9; etc.
  
• Where Satan's seat is. Rev. 2:13; 13:3; 18:2.
• Queen Jezebel, who influenced her husband at the head of the state, to lead Israel into sun-worship. Rev. 2:20; 18:7.
• Hour of test. Rev. 3:10: 13:8-18; 14:6-12.
• Warning of the Judgment. Rev. 3:14-21; 14:6-12, 14-20; 15; 16.
  
• The 24 elders. Rev. 4:4, 10; 5:8, 14; 11:16; 19:4.
  
• The four beasts. Rev. 4:6; 5:8, 14; 6:1, 3, 5. 6, 7; 19- 4.
  
• The temple. Rev. 3:12; 7:15; 11:1, 2; 14:15, 17; 15:5-8.
  
• The holy city. Rev. 3:12; 11:1, 2; 14:20; 21; 22.
• God's name. Rev. 3:12; 14:1. (See I Kings 8:16-20. 29, 44, 48; Deut. 12:5, 11, 21, etc.)
• God's name in the fourth Commandment. Rev. 7:1-4; 14:1.
• The Lord's Day. Rev. 1:10; 7:1-4; 14:1, etc.
• The seven lamps or seven Spirits. Rev. 1:4; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6.
  
• The prayer altar. Rev. 5:8; 8:3; 9:13; 14:18.
  
• Kings and priests. Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:4.
• The kings of the earth. Rev. 1:5; 6:15; 16:14; 17:12-14; 19:19.

Thus we see illustrated in the Revelation the principle of employing again that which has been mentioned previously. The 6,000 years of struggle between the forces of good and evil are fuller developments of the words of Gen. 3:15. Genesis is known to Bible students as "the seed plot of the Bible." Similarly, the early chapters of the Revelation contain the germ of later developments. By repetitions of the seed thought presented in the early chapters of his book (Rev. 1:7, etc.), the Revelator works towards the great climax in the struggle between the forces of God and of Satan—the slaughter of the enemies of spiritual Israel in the antitypical Megiddo conflict. He would not depart from his theme of outlining the final clash between Christ and Satan—towards which he had been moving all through his book—in order to depict a conflict between nations. To apply "the kings of the east" of Rev. 16:12 to Japan, China, etc.—nations which are not mentioned, or even hinted at, in the book—is entirely foreign to the theme of the Revelation. But a grand culmination of all the pictures and repetitions from Rev. 1:7; 6: 14-17 to Rev. 19:11-21 is seen when Rev. 16:12 is applied to the glorious appearing of Christ (with His vast retinue of angels, etc.) in the eastern skies as He comes to deliver spiritual Israel, and to destroy spiritual Babylon.

In describing the scenes of the conflict over the keeping of the Commandments of God, the Revelator takes his imagery from previous portions of the Scriptures. He employs the experiences of ancient Israel in his pictures outlining the final conflict. The past is used to describe the present—in a spiritual, world-wide sense.

THE TRIPLE APPLICATION OF THE PROPHECIES PERTAINING TO ISRAEL.

In earlier chapters we have shown that the literal application belonged to the days of literal Israel: to the days when the literal glory of God was manifested, and things were upon a literal, national basis. In this "dispensation of the Holy Spirit," the things of Israel apply spiritually. Later, in the eternal kingdom, where the literal glory of the Lord will be revealed again, things pertaining to Israel will be literal.

The principle of the triple application enables us to "rightly divide the word of truth." This triple application of the prophecies causes all things to fall into their respective places, in—

1. The national kingdom of God, in the time of the literal economy: centred in Jerusalem, and pertaining to the land of Israel.
2. Christ's spiritual kingdom: centred in spiritual Jerusalem, the church, and embracing the world.
3. Christ's eternal kingdom: with His seat of government literally centred in the New Jerusalem.

Christ is the centre of each of the three-fold applications of the prophecies of the blessings to, and the designations, etc., of Israel.

EXAMPLES OF THE TRIPLE APPLICATION.

Many more examples of this triple application of the Scriptures could be given, for the principle is employed throughout the Bible. This triple application, which arises out of the nature of the Trinity, simplifies the understanding of the Scriptures, as it causes all things to automatically fall into their proper places. That which was literal in relation to national Israel centred in literal Jerusalem is given its "double," or spiritual, application in relation to Christ's spiritual kingdom of grace centred in spiritual Jerusalem, the church; and its triple application—which is literal—in relation to the New Jerusalem. The same pictures which are spiritually applied before the second advent, have their triple—their final—application, in a literal sense, in connection with the literal New Jerusalem.

The millennium is the dividing line between the spiritual application of this dispensation and the future literal application. This is clearly taught in the Revelation and in the Spirit of Prophecy That which is literal after the millennium has a spiritual application, before the millennium. We need to apply this principle to understand the Scriptural teaching concerning Armageddon, before, and after the millennium.